2021 trading, drafting and list management: players and personnel

[bloodspirit]

Afl.com.au have posted an article about Academy draft prospects this year: A Lockett in Suns colours? It could happen - but will they have to match a bid? (afl.com.au)

For the Swans they mention:

Fresh from a bumper Academy crop that netted them top-five pick Braeden Campbell, gun midfielder Errol Gulden and rookie Marc Sheather, the Swans don't have the same top-enders available in 2021.
Marco Rossman, a running midfielder who was eligible for last year's draft, will be an option while Austin Ball, a small forward with sharp skills, key forward Liam Puncher and runner Felix Rogers also among those likely to be monitored.

[liz]

Afl.com.au have posted an article about Academy draft prospects this year: A Lockett in Suns colours? It could happen - but will they have to match a bid? (afl.com.au)

For the Swans they mention:

Fresh from a bumper Academy crop that netted them top-five pick Braeden Campbell, gun midfielder Errol Gulden and rookie Marc Sheather, the Swans don't have the same top-enders available in 2021.
Marco Rossman, a running midfielder who was eligible for last year's draft, will be an option while Austin Ball, a small forward with sharp skills, key forward Liam Puncher and runner Felix Rogers also among those likely to be monitored.

I think the one from last year's crop to keep an eye on (assuming he's staying with the academy, rather than moving interstate to try his chances in another league) is Kye Pfrengle. He's the third of a trio of strong-marking blondies who caught my eye back in 2018 playing in an U16 academy match against the Giants out at BISP. (The other two were Campbell and Sheather.)

IIRC he was born late in the year and, based on limited viewings last year, is still gangly. He's taller than the other two, and looked to be developing as a key backman. He impressed as a mobile tall defender in an U18 game last year, in tandem with another blondie (this time Sam Gaden - who I thought might be a sneaky chance to claim a Cat B rookie spot this in last years's draft as an overager, but who I read has now moved to SA to give the SANFL a go).

[bloodspirit]

Just looking around to see if there was any mail on the 2021 draft prospects. I found:

Twomey did his profile of 10 top prospects back in December: Eye on the future: 10 draft prospects to watch in 2021 (afl.com.au)

AFL Draft Central has something about their top 21 draft prospects: A look ahead: The 21 top prospects for 2021 - Aussie Rules Draft Central

Jason Horne, a midfielder from South Australia, is the early frontrunner to be #1 pick in a draft with lots of mids at the high end.

To recap on our 2021 draft hand at this stage: we gave our 3rd rounder to West Coast (as part of the deal for Hickey, who we paid handsomely for) but we retain our first and second round picks (free of any penalties!). Hopefully get a couple of good players with those first two picks if we still hold them when the time comes around.

I think we'll be well placed to trade picks with the draft this year. Our needs shouldn't be too desperate (apart from a ruck, which won't have to cost the earth) and so we will be able to just see what opportunities present. We might get good value trading back. Given that 2021 was already tipped to be a strong draft, and will be further strengthened by some players who missed out last year, there should be good value picks down the order. By later in the season we'll also have a better idea about whether we need picks for any Academy prospects in 2022.

- - - Updated - - -

I'll just add this list that shows which clubs hold which picks at this stage: Future pick trades: Who you should barrack against in 2021 (afl.com.au).

[graemed]

On this matter, George Hewitt, Luke Parker and Sam Reid(??) are all free agents next year.

I am loathe to see any of them at another club. Can we hold them all?

[bloodspirit]

Surely Sam Reid is already a free agent. And he's out of contract this year. I think we'll hang on to him because he'll prefer to stay and he's worth more to us than to most other teams (because we have limited KPF depth).

Parker isn't going anywhere.

Hewett is a more interesting case. I'm a big fan of of him (for reasons I outlined in more detail last year). I especially love that I feel confident when the ball is in his hands he is going to use it well. Competition for his spot is going to heat up as our youth develop. I think he's good enough to retain his spot and be a midfield bull for us, especially after JPK retires. But, he may be courted by SA clubs and, if he wants to go for family reasons (he's a young dad now - not sure where his partner hails from) and they come hard, then it's possible we'll lose him.

[bloodspirit]

Update re Hewett: neither his partner, Alice, nor Hewett have family in Sydney: Swans mid grateful after son's 'exciting but scary' arrival (afl.com.au). Nice article that throws light on the challenges George faced last year.

[Aprilbr]

I tend to agree on Hewitt that he is a minor risk to leave. However, I don't think the Adelaide clubs will want to pay big money to him - now will we. He is in our best team but not a stand-out.

I think Parker is staying- he seems dedicated to the Club and can see an exciting future. It would really hurt to see him playing at some Vic club like Essendon.

[Ocker]

Thanks for the update on George and little Henry. Explains a lot about last season and we can expect to see George back to his best this season.

The Swa ns do a great job of looking after their players!

[Ruck'n'Roll]

Thanks for the update on George and little Henry. Explains a lot about last season and we can expect to see George back to his best this season.

One more game George and you will qualify young Henry as a father/son.

[Mark26]

Here's a link to an interview with Jake Lloyd from yesterday. The interview runs for just over 9mins.

Dwayne's World With Dwayne Russell - Friday 19th February SEN Afternoons podcast

[KSAS]

Just seen a provocative (click bait) headline on the HS website "Buddy out Dusty in?" It"s a paywall article, so can't gather anymore other than Dusty's manager claiming his client wants to be the Tom Brady of Australia, which for whatever reason has led to speculation Dusty may sign a long term.contract with us when his current one expires. Thought Dusty had signed a multi millon long term contract with Richmond just couple years ago that would see his playing career out as a Tiger?

[KSAS]

Found link to the above on news.com
AFL 2021: Dustin Martin, Sydney Swans, Lance Franklin contract news, report

[Captain]

LOL no thanks. Dusty now would be good but not in 2 years!

[Ruck'n'Roll]

Found link to the above on news.com
AFL 2021: Dustin Martin, Sydney Swans, Lance Franklin contract news, report

"Franklin, 34, has an uncertain future beyond his current contract." - I take that to mean that the author, Tyson Otto shares with so many bearded hipsters a taste for heavy handed irony.

As to Martins assertion that he want's to play in the AFL until he's 38 I can only assume he's referring to the PS2 version.

Anyway thanks but no thanks Ralph Carr. It was good of you to think of us etc. etc.
But I'd like to think that after the Swans Buddy/Kurt adventure, it will be some years before the Swans engage in another such high-stakes gamble.

[rb4x]

Quote "It is purely speculation at this point."